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Rep. Rhonda Fields sees chance for dialogue from race comments

By Lynn BartelsThe Denver Post

Posted:
08/23/2013 10:32:00 AM MDT

Updated:
08/24/2013 12:26:57 AM MDT

Rep. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, holds a news conference at the Colordado Capitol in Denver on Aug. 23, 2014, to address a comment made earlier this week by a senator who talked about African-Americans eating chicken. (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post)

A black lawmaker who was offended this week by a colleague talking about African-Americans eating chicken said the brouhaha provides an opportunity for Colorado to talk about poverty and about race.

Rep. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, held a news conference Friday at the state Capitol to address questions she has fielded this week since challenging statements made by Sen. Vicki Marble, R-Fort Collins, during a task force meeting on poverty.

Fields initially said she wanted to talk to Marble, but later added she was not arranging for a meeting with her.

"What her comments have done is give us a wonderful opportunity to talk about poverty in this state," Fields said.

Fields on Friday addressed comments earlier this week about minorities and their eating habits.

Marble and Fields serve on the legislature's Economic Opportunity Poverty Reduction Task Force, which Wednesday looked at life expectancy rates among ethnic groups.

"When you look at life expectancy, there are problems in the black race," Marble said. "Sickle-cell anemia is something that comes up. Diabetes is something that's prevalent in the genetic makeup, and you just can't help it.

"Although I've got to say, I've never had better barbecue and better chicken and ate better in my life than when you go down South and you, I mean, I love it. Everybody loves it."

Marble also said Mexicans' eating habits are good until they immigrate to the United States.

Fields told Marble she was "highly offended."

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"I will not engage in a dialogue where you are using these stereotypical references about African-Americans and chicken and food. I will not tolerate that," she said during the hearing.

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